Expatriates

Living and working in Japan, the land of the rising sun

Japan is an island country located in eastern Asia, in the Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago of 6852 islands. Tokyo, located on the island of Honshūis the nation's capital and the largest metropolitan area in the world, with more than 30 million residents.

It is one of the world's major economic powers, with the world's third largest economy. ranking of world GDP, led by the US and China.

The economy in Japan

Good proof of its economic potential are its modern armed forces, which have the fifth largest military budget in the world. It is also a member of the world's most important organisations, being a member of the UNG8, the G8, the G4, and the APEC. It is also a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with China, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, which signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) forming the world's largest trading bloc in a market covering 2 billion people and aiming to eliminate 90 % of import tariffs within two decades to provide the necessary boost and rapid recovery for businesses that have been affected by Covid-19.

Banking, insurance, retail, transport and telecommunications are the main sectors and the ones that expect the best results. opportunities for expatriates. It is also an industrial giant with major producers of vehicles, electronic equipment, machinery and tools, steel and metals, chemicals, as well as shipbuilding, textiles, foodstuffs and other industries.

Working in Japan

With regard to job placement in Japan, it is important to highlight the the need to be properly informed on Japanese law, as the laws are very restrictive with regard to immigrants and the possibility of access to certain paid jobs. This is subject to a classification of labour rights depending on the category of the expatriate: permanent residents, with a Japanese spouse or spouse of a permanent resident, permanent residents, as well as teachers, artists, journalists, investors, businessmen, entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, and other qualified professionals, are allowed to work without limitations.

On the other hand, expatriates with residency status Foreigners with this status who are engaged in cultural activities, or with the status of short-stay, scholarship, study, training or homestay are not allowed to engage in paid employment in Japan. Foreign nationals with this status who wish to enter the labour market must first obtain permission from the Regional Immigration Control Directorate.

The best way to understand all the possibilities that the Japanese labour market offers is to consult the guide from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that the Japanese government is available to foreigners who have an interest in emigrating to Japan. For general questions and content in English this link will be useful.

Visas for travel to Japan

There are several ways to travel to Japan types of visas The visa is issued for different purposes, depending on the specific purpose of your trip: to study or work, for a paid activity or internship, and depending on the marital status of the applicant, depending on whether one of the partners in the marriage is Japanese. Even if you are going into the field of engineering, or the field of art, among many other varieties, you may be issued a specialised visa. This great heterogeneity is a major bureaucratic hurdle, as if you decide to change jobs during your stay you will most likely need to apply for a new visa.

Visas usually have a life span of between one and three years, although they are extendable within the validity period of the visa. To obtain a permanent residence pass or naturalisation, you must have lived in Japan for at least 5 consecutive years. However, dual citizenship is not allowed in Japan.

Another option is a type of single visaThe expatriate visa, which is requested for a period of 1 year and allows you to combine work with studies or an extended holiday. The application requirements are very limited: applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old and stay in the country for approximately 12 months. If you think this might fit what you are looking for, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs The European Commission is promoting a holiday work programme and there is an association specialised in this type of emigration: the Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers.

Quality of life and housing

In terms of quality of life, the Japanese archipelago has some of the highest quality of life in the world. social indicators that maintain very palatable figuresJapan is one of the countries with lower homicide rate. Life expectancy is quite high, at 81.9 for men and 87.26 for women, and it is also reportedly a country with one of the lowest infant mortality rates. Tokyo, Tokohama y Kobe are among the 50 cities with the highest quality of life.

For renting a flatDue to the distrustful nature of Japanese society, the most common procedure is to go through a real estate agency. Interestingly, language barriers between a Japanese and a Western expatriate are one of the reasons why landlords are reluctant to rent to foreigners, because of the difficulty in communicating. In these cases, English will not be of much help, as it is not a common language in Japan, unlike in most parts of the world.

When renting a flat, it is important to be aware of the "peculiarities" that are contemplated in the leasing contractsa signal is given (tetsukekin)  prior to signing the contract to assure the landlord that you have a real interest in the property, although it will be returned to you at a later date. The agencies are specialised in managing contracts for foreigners, these are the ones Gaijn Real Estate. Renting a flat A furnished apartment in the expensive area of the city of about 90 m² can cost approximately ¥223,433 (yuan), which is equivalent to €1,774.77, but if you rent it in the suburbs or in another normal area or in the suburbs, the price will drop considerably.

It is also common to be housed under the formula of the Gaijin HouseA house shared with other foreigners, where for the rent of one room you have access to the rest of the shared areas. The price ranges from 40,000 to 100,000 euros. yuan. Although a priori may seem like a very suitable option, it is important to bear in mind that some Gaijin House are very strict and do not admit people with night jobs and also prohibit visits by friends and/or partners.

Some curiosities about Japan

• The characters that make up the name of Japan mean "the origin of the sun", which is why the country is also known as the Land of the Rising Sun.
• A single political party, the Japanese Liberal Party, ruled Japan for 54 years until 2009. Now the Democratic Party governs.
• 86% of Japanese people practise Buddhism o Shinto. The Shinto is a religion native to Japan in which nature spirits are worshipped.
• Many Asians have reticence Japan because of the memory of the invasions of Korea, China and part of Southeast Asia, in which crimes such as the Nanjing Massacre in China.
• It is not possible to enter the Onsen (thermal baths) if tattoos are worn to prevent the entry of members of the Japanese mafia. Yakuza.
• In Japanese the term "Chin-Chin". refers to the name of the male sexual organ.

If you've fallen in love with Japan and want to know all about it, don't miss out on our podcast of Expatriates.

Gil Stauffer has been moving lives from continent to continent for 110 years. If you're going to take the final step and you're going to move from Madrid to Japan or anywhere in Spain!Request a quote for your international removals with the best professionals!

• If you want more information on how much your move can cost, you can read this post about information and prices for international removals.
• If you are relocating for professional reasons you can read our tips for moving to another country for work.
• In this other article you can read our recommendations and tips for happiness abroad.

These are tips offered by GIL STAUFFER, your removal company since 1905.

Moving to Angola, Expats Exploring Other Worlds In Angola

If you are thinking of moving to Angola, you may be interested in this article.

Angola is a South African country bordering Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, and Zambia to the east. Traditionally, the Angolan coast was a Portuguese colony from the 16th century until 1975. It was then plunged into a civil war that lasted until the beginning of the 21st century, between 1975 and 2002.

Some economic data

According to data provided by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Angola has abundant natural wealth, both mineral and agricultural, and offers numerous business and investment opportunities to foreign companies, the second largest oil-producing country in Africa.

The law passed by Parliament in 2015 on Private Investment has helped diversify the economy and promote wealth creation in Angola and has contributed to the country's economic growth. one of the fastest growing countries on the African continent and with the best conditions for investment. The World Bank expects its economy to grow by 2.8 % in 2023.

9.26% of the total number of Spanish investments in 2020 of the African continent were destined for this country. Angola offers numerous business opportunities for Spanish companies in the food and beverage, construction materials, automotive, agricultural machinery and especially in the fields of electrical energy, among others. Spain has an excellent image in Angola and Angolans are familiar with Spanish products. In 2020, around fifty Spanish companies from various sectors were already established in Angola or had permanent interests in the country.

What is life like in Angola? Geographical and social data

Angola, located in Central Africa, has a surface area of 1,246,700 km², and can therefore be considered as one of the most important countries in the region. a big country. With a population of 32,866,268 people, it has a moderate population density of 26 inhabitants per square kilometre.

It is a very attractive country for investors and entrepreneurs, due to its abundant natural resources. The mineral deposits (gold, iron, magnesium, quartz, zinc) and petroleum products have helped its economy to experience rapid growth since the 1990s, which has been consolidating since the end of the civil war. After Nigeria, it is the second largest crude oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa. The oil industry and construction are the two sectors that attract the most expatriates.. It also boasts one of the largest and least exploited diamond stocks world.

In the context of internationalAngola is a member of the African Unionof the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countriesof the Latin Union and the Southern African Development Community.

But despite being a resource-rich country, the standard of living for most Angolans is very low and, in terms of social indicators, life expectancy (61.15 years) and infant mortality can still be improved. On the other hand, Angola's fertility rate is the third highest in the world, with an average of six children per woman nationally and eight in rural areas.

But, for an expatriate there are some advantages The climate is tropical, the beaches are miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy, the landscapes are full of exoticism and the Angolans are very friendly and open-minded.

Its capital, Luandacame to be regarded as a the most expensive city in the world. The reason for this is its heavy dependence on foreign trade, with consumer goods coming largely from imports. The civil strife caused serious delays in agricultural and industrial production for almost 30 years, and it has still not managed to revive to optimal levels to guarantee the supply of the population.

Working in Angola

For expatriates Angola offers a large number of qualified job vacanciesThe lack of training of the local population is a major problem, and this means that there is a wide range of jobs available in all sectors and a great demand for qualified professionals. Especially in the area of training, in order to prepare local cadres.

With regard to the work permitsThe bad news is that bureaucratic hurdles complicate access to the labour market. For a basic visa, valid for 30 days and extendable up to 90 days, it is necessary to have a letter of invitation from a local company, and to present a certificate of criminal record, in addition to filling in all the forms of the embassy of Angola. Regarding access to work visas, in addition to the criminal record certificate, it is necessary to present at the consulate all academic degrees and employment documents in due time and form: translated, stamped and legalised; as well as declarations of knowledge of and respect for Angolan laws.

On a day-to-day basis, the open and hospitable character The Angolan population means that cultural differences are not exclusive. In terms of security, daytime in the city of Luanda is normal during the day, although it is necessary to take basic precautions such as being accompanied at night.

For more complete information on bureaucratic formalities, precautions and other details about Angola, please visit this site Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Tourism in Angola

Touristically, Angola allows us to enjoy spectacular landscapes typical of the African continent. The highlights of Angola are:

• Its capital, Luanda.
• Caboyedoa beautiful beach where you can practice surf.
• The Cascade of Malange.
• M'Banza Kongoa historical and monumental place.
• Sumbea municipality in the province of Cuanza Surin western Angola
• Soyoa town in the province of Zaire at Angola.
• The Waterfalls of Kalandula.
• The Namib Desert
• The Tiger Bay on the Namibian border.
• The Black StonesThe rock formations are unique to this area of Africa.
• One of the most visited beaches is the island of Mussulo.

Curiosities about Angola

Some curiosities about this peculiar African country:

• The origin of the name "Angola". comes from the word Kimbundu “N'gola"which means "king".
• The Angolan currencythe kwanzacannot be taken out of the country. Attempting to do so is a criminal offence as it is illegal.
• The majority of Angola's population comes from villages of origin Bantu.
• The war Angola lasted 27 years (1975-2002).
• It was the captive slaves from Angola who carried the capoeira to Brazil. They developed it as a method of defence against their captors and to disguise the training, they introduced music and dance.
• Its main dance is the semba. This term comes from the word "massamba"which means 'to touch the bellies'. It is often confused with Brazilian samba and there is a belief that samba originated in semba when the Portuguese brought Angolan slaves to Brazil.
• The cogwheel and the machete of the flag of Angola seem to imitate the hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union. The star on the Angolan currency is also influenced by the Soviet flag.
• Photograph government buildings or military compounds is illegal in Angola and punishable by law.
• Although they are very close to each other, avoiding looking into the eyes if you have a conversation, because Angolans consider it disrespectful.
• The baobabThe tree, a curious tree with an unusual appearance, can be found almost everywhere in the country and brings a special feeling to the Angolans. Popular belief has it that God planted this tree upside down.
• The giant sabre –Hippotragus niger variani is a very rare subspecies of antelope that exists only in Angola. This animal has become a national symbol of the country, despite being endangered. Angolans have great respect for this animal, which, according to African mythology, symbolises beauty, vivacity, speed and beauty.
• The kyanda or mermaid is a frequently encountered symbol and symbolises a water spirit.

More information related to moving to Angola

If you want to more about Angolayou can't miss our podcast of Expatriates.

Gil Stauffer has been moving lives from continent to continent for 110 years: if you're going to take the ultimate step  request a quote for your international removals with the best professionals!

you may also be interested in the following articles:

• Tips for happiness abroad.
• Prices and information for international removals.
• Tips for international moves.
• Tips on moving to another country for work.

These are tips offered by GIL STAUFFER, your removal company since 1905.

Thinking of moving to Germany? Don't miss these tips

There are countries that, either because of their proximity or similar cultures, share many customs and curiosities, although that doesn't mean that they don't have their own traditions and peculiarities. Each country is a horizon of new habits and, if you are thinking of moving to another country, the first thing we advise you to do is to get to know its people and try to adapt as much as possible to their habits.

Today we bring you the curiosities of Germany, an post highly recommended if you are thinking of moving to this European powerhouse.

Some notes on the German economy

Germany is one of the world's largest markets and the economic powerhouse of Europe. Spain's second largest trading partner and its main supplier.

According to data provided by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, in the course of 2020 the German government approved various support packages for the economy, amounting to around EUR 1.7 trillion. These measures will help to maintain purchasing power and domestic demand, bringing GDP to 3.5% in 2021 and 3.1% in 2022, according to updated IMF data in January 2021.

The decarbonisation plan and the digitalisation initiative of the German economy, promoted by the Federal Government, represent a potentially attractive field for Spanish companies in these sectors.

In the field of infrastructure, the approval of the Federal Roads Plan 2030 (Bundesverkehrswegeplan) is planning investments of 269 billion euros, and the City-State of Berlin has started the tendering process for the S-Bahns metro network, expecting to procure more than 2,000 trains by 2028.

German customs

1. Kisses for the movies: At Germany it is not customary to introduce yourself with two kisses, hugs or pats on the back. They like to keep their distance, so they often opt for a handshake.

2. Get used to small change: Tipping is one of the most common acts in Germany.. It is considered totally disrespectful not to leave 10% of the bill after eating in a restaurant or 7% of the travel expense after taking a taxi.

3. Be aware of the green, yellow and blue cube: The Germans have fully inculcated the recycling culture Make a habit of washing containers before throwing them away!

4. Seriousness in business: Be well-dressed, don't be on a first-name basis and be clear. are the keys if you want to succeed in any job in Germany. Keeping your distance and showing respect are two pillars of business. And if you want to shine in the room, don't forget to be brief and concise.

5. Busy nightlife: One of the things that people like most about the Germans are the holidays and, in general, almost any leisure plan. From cultural outings such as going to the opera, theatres and concerts, up to the exits to restaurants or beer bars. Any social event is a good excuse to get going,

6. Racism is out: Since the end of World War II, the Germans prefer not to talk about racist issues. And they certainly won't find jokes about this topic, which has marked their country's history for so many years, funny.

7. Look out for the invitations! If you have managed to get a German invite you to an event congratulations! Now all you have to do is buy a little something for the hosts - It is rude to arrive empty-handed. Besides, if you want to look good, you shouldn't be late; absolute punctuality is part of their culture.

And if you finally decide to move to Germany, don't hesitate to contact GIL STAUFFER and request a quote as soon as possible for your transfer. We will help you in all necessary ways.

These are tips offered by GIL STAUFFER, your removal company since 1905.

Moving to Norway, a country of opportunities

Living in a country with a well-regarded welfare system that also offers breathtaking natural landscapes offers a quality of life that anyone would wish for themselves.

Norway is the third largest oil exporter of the world, after Russia and Saudi Arabia which makes it one of the richest countries in the world. But it is not only a leader in this sector, but also in maritime fishing, shipbuilding, mining and chemical production, among others, making it a key player in these markets. unemployment rate is almost non-existent: only 3.1%.

Working in Norway

Increasingly Spaniards want move to Norway to seek a new life. Between 2008 and 2013 there was an increase of 55.4% in the number of Spaniards registered there.

If you want to become one of them you do not have to apply for a residence permit in principle, thanks to the treatise on Schengen. However, after three months of living in the country, you will have to register at the Directorate-General for Aliens, body in charge of complying with the policy of immigration from the Norwegian government.

There you have to apply for a permit that corresponds to your work experience and education. After several steps you would get a personal numberBut a lot depends on your profession, which can make the whole process a complicated task.

One factor to take into account is the language. English is essential, but if you know Norwegian in any of its aspects, bokmål o nynorsk better. Especially to make a place for yourself in the Norwegian societyIt has nothing to do with the Spanish one, which is very closed and with very different values.

Most in-demand professions

Norway has little more than 5 million inhabitantsThe population density is 15 inhabitants per km2 , less than in the Community of Madrid. Its population density is 15 inhabitants per km2. To give you an idea, in Madrid there are 809 inhabitants per km2, and the whole territory is bigger than Italy. This means that there is a constant demand for foreign talent.

The sectors where work is most in demand are Engineering and Energy, Maritime Industry, Health, Telecommunications and IT, Education, Hospitality and Tourism (especially in spring), Transport and Construction. In all of them it is always better to speak Norwegian and in some, such as the health and education sectors, it is essential depending on the direct contact with the population.

Living in Norway

If your per capita income is high (€5115 gross per month with 30% withholding tax), the rent is also high. In Oslo, there are public housing offices (Boligkontoret), where, if you've been living in the country for two years, they can advise you and even guarantee decent housing in case of need.

Upon arrival you can consult an estate agentwho is registered. Never agree to pay money before they provide their services. They may ask for 3 months' rent or make you sign a contract for a minimum of 6 months. They may even ask for a probationary period to check that both you and the landlord are happy to extend the contract or not.

If there is a downside to the Norwegian systemThe main reason for this, at least in comparison with the Spanish, is that the health care is not free of charge. It works with a co-payment system(the patient pays 200 kroner, about €25, for each consultation, up to a maximum of about 2000 kroner, or €250, per year). On the other hand, the health services, Both the human and material resources are of irreproachable quality.

In addition, if you want to being a motheraccording to Save the Children, Norway is the best place world to do so. Also in terms of education, Norway ands the one that invests the most in this term, with 18,289 dollars per pupil per year.

In a nutshell, Norway offers many advantages for settling there, but ideally, in order to make the decision to go, you should have a qualified profile, know English and learn some Norwegian and be patient with the weather and Norwegians.

Gil Stauffer has been moving lives from continent to continent for more than 115 years: If you're going to take the ultimate step, Request a quote for your international removals with the best professionals!

These are tips offered by GIL STAUFFER, your removal company since 1905.